Racism in ‘‘Susan Abulhawa’s Against the Loveless World’’
Research Proposal
Submitted By
Ghazanfar Abbas
Supervised By
Mr. Shozab Ali Abbasi
BS ENGISH
MUHAMMAD ALI INSTITUT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,
LAYAH
AFFILIATED WITH
UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, LAHORE
1
Table of Content
2
Chapter NO. 1
Introduction to Racism
Definition
Racism is a belief system or ideology that asserts the superiority or inferiority of
individuals or groups based on their perceived racial characteristics. It involves
discrimination, prejudice, and unequal treatment towards individuals or groups
based on their race or ethnicity. Racism can manifest in various forms including
systemic racism, interpersonal racism and internalized racism.
1.1 Introduction
Racism refers to the practice of discrimination or prejudice against the
individual based on their ethnic, racial, or national background. It includes attitude,
belief, institutional structure, and behavior that treat people of different races or
ethnicity differently. Racism can take many forms, such as verbal abuse, physical
violence, exclusion, or even policies that affect certain groups adversely. It has
grave consequences on society, including the perpetuation of discrimination,
inequality, and injustice of various kinds.
Racism has a long history, spanning continents, cultures and civilizations.
Throughout history, people have been subjected to racism due to their skin color,
customs, belief, language and other such factors. The roots of racism are often tied
to several factors, including power, economics, religion and nationalism. As a
result, racism has manifested in various ways, such as slavery, colonialism, and
segregation among others. Despite efforts to eradicate racism, it continues to be a
persistent problem in many societies around the world.
The negative impact of racism is severe, especially on the targeted individuals and
groups, as well as on social cohesion, harmony and progress. It can lead to
significant mental, physical, and emotional health problems such as depression,
anxiety and stress. Discrimination on the basis of race has also been linked to
poorer employment prospectus, reduced access to education, and limited
opportunities for social mobility. Furthermore, racism can exacerbate tension and
divisions between different groups in society and weaken the fabric of the
community.
In conclusion, racism is a complex issue that has a long history and continue to
affect individual and societies today. Its impact is wide-ranging and severe, and
3
concerted efforts are needed to address it. Issues surroundings race and racism
require a nuanced approach and a commitments to a more just, equitable, and
inclusive society.
Addressing and combating racism in the present day requires collective effort from
individuals, communities, institutions, and governments. Here are some strategies
that societies can employ to effectively address and combat racism:
1.2 Historical Context
Historical context means the information about the period, the place and the events
that created, influenced or forms the backdrop to the historic resources. Here are
the more detailed explanation:
i) Origins in Slavery
Racism has its roots in the transatlantic slave trade, which began in the 15 th
century. European powers, particularly Britain, France, Spain, and Portugal,
established colonies in Africa, the Americas, and other parts of the world. They
enslaved millions of Africans, seeing them as inferior and suitable for forced labor.
ii) Scientific Racism
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the concept of scientific racism emerged.
Scholars and Philosophers attempted to justify the enslavement and colonization of
Africans by developing pseudoscientific theories to support racial hierarchies.
These theories sought to categorize different races based on physical
characteristics, intellectual abilities, and cultural practices, falsely asserting the
superiority of Europeans.
iii) Colonization and Imperialism
As Europeans powers expanded their empires, they implemented racist
policies to establish dominance over indigenous population. This included forced
labor, land dispossession, cultural assimilation, and unequal treatment of colonized
people. In the context of Palestinians, colonization refers to the establishment and
expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and previously
in the Gaza strip. These settlements are constructed on land that is internationally
recognized as occupied Palestinians territory and are considered illegal under
international law. The Israeli government has facilitated the growth of these
4
settlement through various policies, which has led the displacement and
dispossession of Palestinians communities.
iv) Decolonization and Civil Rights Movements
In the mid-20th century, as former colonies gained independence, various
civil rights movement emerged worldwide. The African-American Civil Rights
Movement in the United States, led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., fought
against racial segregation and discrimination. Similarly, anti-apartheid movements
in South Africa challenged the racist policies of the partied regime.
v) Contemporary Racism
Despite progress made through social movements and legal changes, racism
persists in modern society. Systematic racism continue to manifest in areas like
education, employment, housing, criminal justice and healthcare. Racial disparities
and act of racial violence remind us of the ongoing struggle against the racism.
1.3 Forms of Racism
a) Individual Racism
This occurs when an individual holds prejudiced beliefs or acts is a
discriminatory manner towards someone based on their race or ethnicity.
b) Institutional Racism
This refers to systemic patterns of discriminatory policies, practices, such as
government, education, healthcare and criminal justice system that disadvantage
certain racial or ethnic group.
c) Systemic Racism
This form of racism occurs when racism is deeply ingrained in society’s
systems and structures, leading to widespread and long-lasting disparities and areas
like education, employment, housing, and access to resources and opportunities.
d) Colorism
Colorism is a form of discrimination within a racial or ethnic group, based
on skin color. It often leads to favoritism towards individuals with lighter skin
tones, perpetuating notions of beauty and desirability.
5
e) Micro Aggressions
These are subtle, everyday acts or comments that communicate derogatory
or demeaning messages to individuals from marginalized racial or ethnic groups.
They may be unintentional but still contribute to a hostile or discriminatory
environment.
1.4 Strategical Term of Racism
i) Education and Awareness
Education plays a vital role in challenging and dismantling racist beliefs and
stereotypes. Promoting inclusive and diverse curricula in schools, colleges, and
universities can help foster empathy, understanding and acceptance. Raising
awareness through public campaign, workshops and discussion can also contribute
to challenging prejudice and promoting equality.
ii) Legislation and Policies
Government should enact and enforce anti-discrimination laws that protect
individuals from racial discrimination. These laws should ensure equal
opportunities in employment, education, housing and other areas. Policies
promoting, diversity inclusion and representation in various sector can help
breakdown systemic barriers and create a more equitable society.
iii) Promoting Dialogue and Empathy
Facilitating open and honest conversation about race and racism is essential
for creating understanding and empathy. Encouraging dialogue between different
racial and ethnic groups can help break down stereotypes, challenges biases, and
promote unity.
iv) Media Representation
Media has a powerful influence in shaping public opinion. Encouraging
diverse representation in media, arts and entertainment can help challenge
stereotypes and promotes inclusivity. Media organizations should commit to
promoting accurate and fair portrayals of diverse communities.
v) Support for Victims
6
Providing support and resources for individuals who have experienced
racism in crucial. Establishing helplines, counseling services, and legal support
system can help victims reports incidents, seek justice and recover from the trauma
of racism.
vi) Community Engagement
Building strong, inclusive communities is vital for combating racism.
Promoting community initiatives, events and projects that bring people from
different backgrounds together can help foster understanding, appreciation, and
solidarity.
vii) Ally Ship and Anti-Racist Activism
Encouraging individuals to actively become allies in the fight against racism
is essential. Taking a stand against racism, amplifying, marginalized voices, and
engaging in anti-racist activism can contribute to long-term change.